Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m.

Board members present: Wanda Harich, Samuel Harris, Mel Karlinsky, Steve Bentley, and Maggie Gifford

PRESIDENT REPORT (Wanda Harich):

• Wanda Harich explained that dues were raised $1 per month to replenish the Community's reserve funds. Bennington has done renovation projects (playgrounds, basketball court, pool) that lowered the reserve amount.

TREASURER'S REPORT (Mel Karlinsky):

• Bennington is about $30,000 in arrears. Bennington is pursuing delinquent owners. When an owner is 2 quarters in arrears, Bennington can put a lien on the house.

COMMITTEE UPDATES:

• ARC
  • Board Liaison Wanda Harich explained that in addition to Bennington's annual walk through, Gaithersburg would perform a walk-through to examine properties for structural defects.
  • Maggie Gifford echoed these remarks and commented that the City representatives felt Bennington was one of the nicer communities in Gaithersburg, and it showed in the rapid increase in property values.
• CLUBHOUSE
  • Brenda Mitchell, the current chairman will be moving in July and the Board is looking for a chairperson and additional volunteers.
  • New tile was installed this spring.
• GROUNDS
  • Lance Wright, chairperson, addressed the trash problem in the community and explained Bennington and City rules applying to trash, bulk pick-up, hazardous materials and recycling. He reminded residents that the City's fine for placing trash out more than 24 hours in advance is $500.
  • Reminder to residents to pick up after their animals -- it is a law.
• COMMUNICATIONS
  • Greg Mott, Communications Chair, announced that Ellie Bouffard, who creates the Crier is moving and Patricia Campagnoli will take this over. She is trying to get a committee of volunteers together. Joan Falcão, a new resident, has volunteered to revamp and update Bennington's website.
• LANDSCAPING
  • Mel Karlinsky and Wanda Harich are co-chairs.
  • Spring Clean up is April 13th. Bennington pays youth residents $ .50 per bag of trash or leaves. Dumpsters will be placed on Longdraft. Look for a flyer coming out soon with more details.
  • This committee planted over thirty trees this year to replace older trees that were removed. The City of Gaithersburg paid for the trees out of a fund they maintain for this purpose.
  • Court Beautification: Bennington will pay for materials if residents will maintain a plot of common area. (Plans must be submitted and approved first.)
  • Bennington will be using the Lawn Ranger again this year; they are reasonably priced and provide excellent service.
• PARKING
  • In an effort to enforce parking Bylaws in Bennington of two cars per house, the Board is proposing issuing two permits per household and contracting a towing company to patrol the area for violators. Visitors would be allowed to park in the community for a number of hours/days to be determined. This would not require a change in the Bylaws because the spaces will not be reserved.
  • At residents' requests, the Board sent this back to committee. The committee will pick a chair and bring a proposal to the Board within 6 months.
• PLAYGROUNDS
  • Bennington put in two new tot lots to replace the old ones that were unsafe. The City of Gaithersburg gave us a $5000 grant for each.
• POOL
  • Chairperson Tony DeLisi informed the residents that we would be using Community Pool Service this year. They had excellent references.
  • Bennington installed a security system with cameras that view all sides of the clubhouse and pool this spring in an effort to reduce vandalism.
• NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
  • This committee is currently not functioning. Some residents have continued to patrol the community on weekends. Bennington has not been able to gain enough neighborhood participation to be part of the City program.
• SWIM TEAM
  • Shelley Ward is the coach. This committee is looking for a parent coordinator. The team holds fundraisers and receives some support from the Board.
• URBAN GROWTH
  • Chairperson Linda Gore updated the community about Gaithersburg's decision to put development, including Parklands, on hold until a new Master Plan is developed. The City will hold several open meetings where resident participation is key in helping shape future development decisions in Gaithersburg. Meeting information is on the City of Gaithersburg website.
• WELCOMING
  • Chairperson Lynn Zainfeld asked that residents notify office of new neighbors.
• NOMINATIONS FOR BOARD MEMBERS
  • The Board has 5 available openings due to 2 members moving and 3 expired terms.
  • Nominations from the floor: Jason Estock, Norm Sugar, Geovanny Fallas, Nate Dietrich, Dave Morton
  • MOTION to elect the nominees by acclimation. Motion is seconded and passed.
• ADMINISTRATOR
  • Discussed skills necessary to fill the Administrator opening.

OLD BUSINESS:

• Landscaping suggestion -- do fall clean up as well. Bennington does spring because the predominance of oak trees drop leaves late fall/winter.
• Dumping on Longdraft -- residents want to know what's happening. The Administrator has contact information for City/County officials working on the problem.
• Loose cable lines in the community -- The Administrator will handle these complaints and make sure the responsible companies bury them.
• Parking Committee list was started.